State Department official presents concept of new global market route through Armenia and Azerbaijan

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs James O'Brien has said that Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on the demarcation process.

Speaking at a Senate committee hearing, he also presented a concept of a new trade route through Armenia and Azerbaijan that would enable Central Asian countries to be less dependent on Russia and China.

“The two sides have agreed to border demarcation process,” O’Brien said at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation hearing when asked about the Azeri occupation of Armenian territories. “They’ve agreed on what the lines are.”

He also spoke about unblocking of regional connections and Russia.

Asked by Chairman Cardin about Armenia, the State Department official said the US has established a new platform with Armenia to help it reduce its dependence on Russia. He said that despite guaranteeing Armenia’s security, Russia failed to do so and “turned its back”. “That has led to a severe break where much of the population of Armenia wants to get further from Russia. So, we are creating the conditions for that to happen.”

He said the US supports Armenian PM Pashinyan’s peace efforts.

Speaking about the significance of peace between the two countries, O’Brien added, “Look at the map. From Central Asia all the way through, the Central Asian countries are incredibly rich, and right now their only options to the global markets are fundamentally through Russia or China. If we can open up a route that goes through Azerbaijan and Armenia then they will have access to global markets and much less dependence on Russia and China. This is all part of allowing countries to choose their own paths to the global markets.”